Rocks were thrown through their windows, car tires were slashed, and racial
taunts were shouted by passing motorists. One day, their 6-year-old son came
home from school asking why his classmates said they couldn't play with him
because he was black.

Fed up, the family fled the city a few weeks ago and moved out of the county
to Corona, said the father, who asked that his name not be used out of fear for
his safety. His wife reported the incidents to the Orange County Human Relations
Commission, which tracks hate crimes in county.

In response, the commission said it intends to share the story with local
politicians and conduct so-called listening sessions to gauge the experience of
African Americans in Orange County.

"It just illustrates that even amid our really wonderful community, life is
different for some people," said Rusty Kennedy, the executive director of the
commission.